The annual parade boasts lots of giant inflatables along Harbor Drive

The Holiday Bowl is all about tailgating and college football (hello, Arizona State and Texas Tech fans!).

But in the morning before all the sports madness, the spirit is more festive and friendly over at the Big Bay Balloon Parade. It’s a grand event — complete with marching bands, drill teams, clowns, floats and more than 20 gigantic helium balloons — that draws about 100,000 spectators to the Embarcadero.

Here’s what you’ll see and how to navigate the day:

The Port of San Diego Big Bay Balloon Parade

When: 10 a.m. Monday

Where: Along Harbor Drive, from the County Administration Center to West Harbor Drive

Transportation

If you’re driving, get there early to get one of the metered spots around the parade route. There are also meters throughout downtown, as well as several paid lots.

Taking the trolley? You’ll need to go to the America Plaza stop on the Orange or Blue lines, or the Santa Fe Depot stop on the Green Line. Coaster riders should exit at the Santa Fe Depot.

Reserved disabled parking is available at the corner of Broadway and Pacific Highway.

Cars will not be allowed on Harbor Drive after 7:30 a.m., so get there early.

The balloons

The event bills itself as “America’s Largest Balloon Parade” and boasts giant, helium-filled character balloons that include Garfield, Thomas the Tank Engine, Woody Woodpecker, Horton the Elephant and Jay Jay the Jet Plane, as well as a gingerbread man and an octopus.

The Big Bay Balloon Parade and Bridgeport Education Holiday Bowl Parade wove its way down Harbor Drive downtown Thursday morning past thousands of spectators lining the streets for one of the country's largest balloon parades..
— Peggy Peattie / U-T San Diego

The Big Bay Balloon Parade and Bridgeport Education Holiday Bowl Parade wove its way down Harbor Drive downtown Thursday morning past thousands of spectators lining the streets for one of the country's largest balloon parades..
— Peggy Peattie / U-T San Diego

Parade route

Balloons and floats will make their way down North Harbor Drive from the County Administration Center south past Navy Pier and stopping just before Seaport Village.

Viewing spots

There are plenty of free sidewalk spots along the route, with the choicest (and most crowded) viewing area by the Maritime Museum, 1492 N. Harbor Drive, where bands stop and perform for the telecast. If you’re looking for a comfortable seat, however, you may still be able to get a $20 grandstand ticket. Call for availability.

Bumblebee Foods 5K Run

If you’re looking to go on a morning run in front of tens of thousands of people, sign up for this 19th annual 5K, which has an entry fee of $35 and starts at 9:45 a.m. Participants begin at Ash Street and Harbor Drive and run the route before the parade begins. For details, see holidaybowl.com.

Where’s the festival?

Though there was a family festival following the parade last year, it’s been canceled for 2013.